Retrospective serosurvey for human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent in urban white-footed mice from Maryland.
Archived serum samples from 111 Peromyscus leucopus, collected 1984-88 in Baltimore City (Maryland, USA), were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Sera from two (2%) individuals contained antibodies reactive to Ehrlichia equi and the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent. This suggests that the HGE agent or an antigenically related organism has been present in rodent populations in this locality for more than a decade, and was present in the region at least 12 yr before a case of human disease was recognized.
Bunnell
J E
JE
Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Dumler
J S
JS
Childs
J E
JE
Glass
G E
GE
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000276:immunology*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D006801:Humans; D010542:Peromyscus; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014504:Urban Health
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial